It's about this time of the year that people start packing their bags for tropical destinations and early summer getaways.

Former Harrisburg High School standout, Cameron Cummins is packing his bags. His destination isn't quite tropical and it's more business than it is pleasure.

Cummins was part of the Kaskaskia Junior College baseball team that over the weekend won the District Tournament and will now head to Grand Junction Colorado to play in the Junior College World Series.

Cummins, a freshman with the Blue Devils, said he has made great strides since graduating from Harrisburg last year.

"I've grown up a lot," Cummins said. "I realize at this point how important it is to be humble with everything. Going 0-for-4 or 4-for-4 is pretty much the same thing. It's a long grueling season and you can't get too high or too low, you just have to keep battling."

Cummins said day in and day out, he see's good pitching.

This season, Cummins is hitting .310 for Kaskaskia, with an on-base percentage of .419. Cummins, in 126 at bats, has scored 29 runs on 39 hits, has six doubles and one home run.

The former Bulldog's biggest struggles this season hasn't been with the bat. Instead, it's been learning a new position.

"My main position all through high school was at second base and now I'm learning how to be a shortstop," Cummins said. "I feel like I have made some great strides defensively to get better."

The Blue Devils as a whole have made great strides.

Kaskaskia didn't even make the field in last year's Region 24 Tournament. It's been a rags to riches story for the Centralia junior college as not only did the Red Devils win the Region 24 championship over Wabash Valley, but they captured the Region 24 title this past weekend.

Cummins said upon signing with the Blue Devils, he really had no idea what to expect.

"We've really turned things around this year," Cummins said. "We've been able to get on about a 15-game winning streak here lately and ride some of our good freshmen pitching that has given us a lot of great innings."

Cummins also acknowledges that this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" that not many people have the chance to experience. He feels blessed for his chance.

"This is really pretty exciting. I'm thankful for God that he has put me in this situation. I know out of high school, I really wanted to go to John A. Logan and that door closed, but God put me at Kaskaskia and I've been fortunate to be surrounded by great teammates, coaches and friends. It's all been a blessing."

Cummins and the Blue Devils will take on Midland Community College Saturday at 11 a.m. (CST). A win would move Kaskaskia into the winner's bracket, where they would play Monday at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of Central Alabama/Palm Beach State.

Page 2 of 2 - A loss would drop Kaskaskia into the loser's bracket where they would playing the loser of Central Alabama/Palm Beach State at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Michael Dann can be reached at mdann@dailyregister.

Twitter: @spydieshooter

Click under the tournament tab at http://www.jucogj.org/ to keep up with Cameron Cummins and the Kaskaskia Blue Devils in Grand Junction Colorado.